The owner of a pet is generally responsible for its behavior, especially if that pet ends up hurting someone. An animal bite may cause significant, long-term physical and mental trauma that may be difficult for a victim to overcome. The good news is that there are ways for both Georgia pet owners and people who are around pets to stop an animal from biting someone. It requires diligence and keen observation, but it is not an exaggeration to say that it could save someone’s life.
Knowing the signs of an animal under stress may prevent a bite from happening. The difficult part is that some of these signals seem innocuous to humans, such as an animal who licks its lips, won’t look them in the eye or yawns. There are other body language signals that may be more specific to the species of the animal, and pet owners or those who frequently interact with pets would be wise to learn those signs.
There are also multiple actions one can take to avoid provoking a dog or animal bite. An easy one is to keep a pet away from those who are strangers to it, such as houseguests or delivery and service workers. Pet owners may want to designate a certain “safe space” such as a bed or a crate where the pet can remain undisturbed. Pets also need appropriate levels of exercise and stimulation the same way that humans do in order to enrich their lives.
Even when all of this advice and other safe practices are utilized, there are still instances where a pet may decide to bite. An animal bite can cause serious injury and, in extreme cases, death, both of which may not just harm a family emotionally, but financially. It may make sense for victims or their families to file a personal injury claim against the pet owner to hold that person responsible. An attorney can help a Georgia family determine how to proceed after such a devastating attack.